Hello.

My own background is in researching a number of chronic illnesses, including
those that involve problems with chronic infections, or have particularly
severe consequences from infections (more on my background may be found at: <A
HREF="http://members.aol.com/SynergyHN/">
www.members.aol.com/SynergyHN</A> ). I thought this group might be interested
in
something I have learned about regarding colds and flus that has been extremely
valuable for me and my family. I become involved in this area because I have
suffered from CFS and Lyme Disease for many years.

Perhaps you might let me know if you think the information in the following
article might prove useful in your chronic condition, and if so, who else might
be interested in this, so I might contact them, or you might pass this
information along.

I have also written articles on food sensitivities and newer techniques for
identifying the hidden ones, which you can also see at the web site below. Let
me know if you think this would also be of use in your chronic condition.

Sincerely,
Joyce Waterhouse, Ph.D.

Chronic Illness Support and Research Association (CISRA)
CISRA’s Synergy Health Newsletter (CSHN: Dec. 2004)
Issue 7: Fourth Article
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/SynergyHN/">www.members.aol.com/SynergyHN</A>

A Strategy for Completely Preventing Colds and Flus?
by J.C. Waterhouse, Ph.D.

Abstract

This article hypothesizes that: 1. daily use of very low dose intranasal
and sublingual alpha interferon may be able to entirely prevent respiratory
viruses that cause colds and possibly flus and, 2. daily use of very small
amounts
of the homeopathic Boiron Oscillococcinum (TM)* may be useful for preventing
respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses. Some supporting background and case
studies are discussed as well.

Introduction

For many people, colds and flus are an occasional inconvenience, but for
others they can be quite frequent, debilitating or even lead to life-threatening
complications. The health of people with conditions such as chronic lung
inflammation, bronchitis, asthma, sarcoidosis, cystic fibrosis, diminished
cardiovascular capacity, ulcers, chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease,
immune suppression due to chemotherapy, transplants, autoimmune disease, chronic
fatigue syndrome, AIDS or other inherited or acquired immunosuppressive
disorders, all can be worsened by respiratory or gastrointestinal viruses and
their
complications. In this article, two possible preventive measures are proposed
and supported with some case histories and suggestive scientific research.
Together, these inexpensive strategies may have the potential to prevent
virtually all colds and flus in many people, and if these early indications
prove to
be correct, this possibility is available, not far off in the future, but very
soon.

Very Low Dose Intranasal and Sublingual Alpha Interferon For Respiratory
Viruses

Alpha interferon, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring human
cytokine, is used at high doses (1 to 5 million IU) by injection for certain
cancers
and hepatitis infections (1). There have been at least two placebo controlled
studies (2, 3) that showed that intranasal alpha interferon could reduce
colds by 39-88% when begun near the time of exposure. These studies used high
doses of alpha-2 interferon and were found to cause nasal irritation and
bleeding
in some patients. At these high doses, there might also be the potential for
other side effects if continued for longer periods of time. In hepatitis and
cancer, a wide array of side effects from high dose alpha interferon
injections can and do occur, and some patients need to reduce the dose or stop
treatment because of these side effects (e.g., neurotoxicity, lethargy,
neutropenia).

Alpha interferon is known to have several means of helping the immune
system to combat viruses (reference 1, p. 1070-1). The body naturally produces
very
large amounts of alpha interferon in the first few days of a cold, and this
is very important during the early period of infection, before the immune
system has time to produce virus specific lymphocytes and antibodies. As will be
seen from the case history presented below, it may be that a very small amount
of alpha interferon, given ahead of time, may have dramatic preventive effects
if delivered to the cells that first encounter the virus in the nose and
throat. This case history suggests that a strategy using daily low doses of
intranasal and sublingual alpha interferon may be effective, relatively
inexpensive
and have minimal, if any, side effects. The daily use may be an important
issue, since if one begins after viral exposure or first symptoms, it would
probably be less likely to be able to halt the viral infection.

Anecdotal Evidence of Prevention of Colds

The first part of the strategy is so far supported primarily by the
records of a single patient, but the research discussed above suggests that it
may
be valid enough to serve as a basis for further study. The patient was ill
with chronic fatigue syndrome for over 18 years, and had averaged 0.88 colds per
month during the last 2 years. Frequently, a known exposure to a cold of
another person was involved, and so it was fairly clear that this was not a
chronic allergy situation (the patient also has low IgE levels indicating low
allergy levels). Between colds, the patient was not prone to significant
respiratory symptoms from other causes.

Many immune enhancing vitamins and supplements were tried by the patient
over the years, but the colds continued at a high rate. The previous year, the
colds even continued when alpha interferon was tried sublingually at doses up
to 1250 IU daily, though there may have been a reduction in frequency (see
below). Interestingly, 10 years ago, in the same patient, the sublingual doses
alone were observed to be much more successful at preventing colds than they
were during this trial, suggesting responses may vary with immune status.

When the patient was taking the sublingual alpha interferon alone, the
colds typically began in the nose, rather than the throat. This observation
prompted the use of half of the dose sublingually and half the dose using a
nasal
spray. The first time the nasal spray was tried, it was after the first few
hours of the cold, after some nasal symptoms of a cold had begun. Under these
circumstances of delayed use of the nasal spray, before the new strategy of
daily treatment had begun, the alpha interferon did not succeed in preventing
the
cold from developing further. The subsequent success of the daily use of the
intranasal and sublingual alpha interferon in preventing colds, as described
below, suggests how important it may be for it to be used prior to the first
symptoms.

Initially, when this new strategy of daily sublingual and intranasal low
dose alpha interferon was tried, the dose of alpha interferon used was 500 IU
intranasally and 500 IU sublingually. Since this approach of daily preventive
use was begun in June 2004, 6 months ago, the patient has not had a single new
cold or respiratory infection. Prior to this last 6 months, there was only two
times in the last 3 years in which this patient went even 2 months without a
cold. Over time, lower doses were tried and still seem to be effective. Over
the last 2 months, the dose has been decreased to 125 IU daily or even more
recently, on alternate days. On at least 3 occasions, the patient has been
exposed to a cold and has not become ill. Before this approach was begun, the
patient does not recall being exposed to a known cold in the last 10 years
without becoming infected (the patient keeps records of exposures to colds, as
well
as colds and other symptoms).

To put this in context and adjust for the season of the year, the data from
this patient for the 3 previous years was examined for a total of 18 months
(June-November, 2001, 2002, 2003). The rate of colds was 0.67 colds per month
for those 18 months, prior to the new approach. If one excludes the data from
2003, during which the patient was taking 750 IU alpha interferon
sublingually and had only 2 colds, the rate of colds without any alpha
interferon would
have been 0.83 colds/month (the lower rate of colds when taking the sublingual
alpha interferon suggests that it may have stopped some of the colds that
might have begun in the throat). The sudden drop from a rate of 0.67-0.83
colds/month to a rate of 0.0 colds/month for 6 months coinciding with the use of
this new strategy is strongly suggestive of its effectiveness.

Of course, more study is needed to verify this case history and also to
find out what doses might work best for various types of patients. No side
effects, positive or negative, were experienced by the patient during the time
during which the alpha interferon was being used. Only one other patient has
tried this approach so far, and for only 2 months. This is not long enough to
tell clearly if it has been effective, since this second patient was not prone
to
frequent colds. However, no side effects were experienced by this patient
either.

The medical textbook, Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, (1)
describes one of the mechanisms through which alpha interferon works as being
particularly able to counteract the strategy used by the influenza virus. Also,
it
seems reasonable that, since alpha interferon has broad anti-viral
properties, daily use of these low doses might even help prevent serious
respiratory
viruses, like influenza, as well as SARS and bird flu. However, this low a
dose,
administered in this way, would not be likely to be effective against viruses
that enter through routes other than through the respiratory system, such as
West Nile virus or gastrointestinal viruses.

Potential for Side Effects Appears Minimal

Alpha interferon stimulates the TH1 branch of the immune system, and this
might be of concern for those with certain illnesses in which an increased TH1
immune response would be detrimental. In many of these cases, high doses of
interferon could be harmful. However, the doses being discussed here are very
small, orders of magnitude smaller than those used in cancer and hepatitis
(about 1/40,000th ), and it would seem unlikely that they would be harmful. The
doses discussed above for preventive use are also quite small relative to the
levels of alpha interferon which the body normally produces during the first
few days of viral infections.

Also, it is likely that the effect of these very small doses is very
localized, since the somewhat higher dose of sublingual alpha interferon
mentioned
above (1250 IU) did not seem to affect the rate of infection of colds entering
through the nasal route or the rate of gastrointestinal virus infections. No
systemic effects were detected by the two patients who used it, even in the
case when 1250 IU was used sublingually. It seems probable that far greater
systemic effects would be experienced by a person not using this very low dose
alpha interferon who experienced repeated acute infections in which the body
produces very large amounts of alpha interferon. And there would probably be
much greater potential for harm from a viral infection, particularly for
individuals with certain illnesses in which complications of infection might be
serious.

Obtaining Low Dose Interferon

The alpha interferon in these very small doses was obtained via mail order
with a prescription through Catchings Pharmacy (800-356-1620, Amarillo,
Texas). The alpha 2-interferon used for injections for cancer patients is
diluted
by the pharmacy and divided into 250 IU doses, which are then frozen and mailed
overnight. The cost is reasonable, especially if the lower doses on
alternate days turn out to be more widely successful. Individual doses can then
be
thawed in the refrigerator when needed, but seem to last for at least a few
weeks in the refrigerator when thawed. One can purchase special nasal spray
bottles (Key pharmacy has a convenient small glass sprayer, 800-878-1322) or use
the empty container from an over-the-counter nasal spray. Other pharmacies
could also do the dilution or may already do so, but I am currently only aware
of
Catchings Pharmacy as a source for these low doses of diluted alpha interferon.

(Note on cold symptom reduction: This author has written previously about
anecdotal experiences with a cold remedy that was quite successful in
relieving cold symptoms, especially if it was begun soon after the first
symptoms
appeared and was taken frequently (4). However, it appears that, in very
susceptible people, colds still often become established, can be quite fatiguing
and
the remedy does not work equally well for everyone. It does have the advantage
of being a non prescription option, though. The product is Boericke and
Tafel’s Alpha CF (TM). It is widely available in health food and drug stores.)


Preventing Influenza and Gastrointestinal Virus Infections With Boiron
Oscillococcinum (TM)*

This part of the prevention strategy is based on experiences with a
homeopathic medicine, Boiron Oscillococcinum (TM)*, in preventing influenza and
gastrointestinal virus infections. This use for prevention and the use for
gastrointestinal viruses has not yet been studied in a scientifically controlled
manner, nor are these uses endorsed in any way by the manufacturer due to this
lack
of research. However, since the potential benefits are great, this author
believes that some anecdotal results are worth reporting, so as to encourage
controlled scientific studies in the future to evaluate its usefulness.

Homeopathic remedies are more widely used in Europe than in the U.S.
However, the homeopathic approach, involving very small doses of substances, has
been increasingly studied and used in the U.S. in recent years (5). The Boiron
Oscillococcinum remedy is derived from duck hearts and livers, and through the
homeopathic method of dilution, is so dilute that the presence of molecules
from the duck would be wholly unsuspected by anyone using the remedy. Boiron
Oscillococcinum is particularly dilute even according to homeopathic standards
(200C, the larger the number, the more dilute, in the homeopathic system). The
only taste detectable is that of the base that contains lactose and sucrose.
For details on homeopathy, its theory, practice and controversies relating to
it, the reader is referred elsewhere (5, 6).

For the purposes of this article, it is enough to know that Boiron
Oscillococcinum is regulated by the FDA as a drug, is sold over the counter, has
no
reported side effects and has been found by several controlled studies to be
better than placebo in reducing symptoms of the flu or flu-like illnesses (7, 8,
9, 10). The usual recommended way of using it is to dissolve the entire
contents of one tube in the mouth, usually under the tongue, at the first sign
of
an influenza-type illness and repeat every 6 hours, up to 3 times a day for 3
days (see package for more details). It is best to take it apart from meals
(i.e., leaving 15 minutes or more between the remedy and a meal), and in a mouth
free of strong flavors.

In this article, the way in which the Oscillococcinum remedy is proposed to
be used is as an experimental prevention strategy for influenza, as well as
flu-like respiratory viruses, and gastrointestinal viruses. Although not
studied scientifically so far, Papp et al (10) mentions that for influenza-like
syndromes, it “is widely used in France as prophylaxis...” in addition to
therapy. I will discuss the experiences of 3 patients in the U.S. who tried
using it
on a daily basis for prophylaxis.

Anecdotal Evidence

Of the patients to be discussed here, the first patient, the same one
discussed in the most detail above, provides the strongest evidence for
prevention
of gastrointestinal viruses, since this patient was having frequent
gastrointestinal viral infections. The illnesses were recorded by the patient
and were
usually characterized by diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and muscle aches. The
initiation of these infections were often tracked to an exposure to a person who
had a similar infection, and the type of contact was such that it was fairly
clear that there was an infectious virus involved and not a food borne bacterial
cause.

During one of the periods when this patient was being exposed to a
household contact with a diarrheal illness, the patient began taking ½ tube of
Oscillococcinum daily in the hope of avoiding catching the illness. For several
days, this seemed to work. Then, when the patient ran out of the remedy, one
day’s dose was skipped, and the next day, the patient developed the diarrheal
illness.



After this experience, the above patient began using the Oscillococcinum
every day, and gradually decreased the amount used until only a few pellets were
used each day. From the time the daily use of the Oscillococcinum remedy
began, the patient abruptly stopped having these gastrointestinal flus. Twice,
other family members had infections, one involving diarrhea, the other
involving vomiting, and in neither case did the patient get sick. This
resistance to
a known exposure to a gastrointestinal illness had never occurred during the
past 15 years, according to this patient. The recorded average rate of
gastrointestinal illnesses was 0.5 per month during the 3 previous years during
the
same seasons of the year (June-November). In contrast, since the daily doses of
Oscillococcinum have begun, 6 months have gone by without the patient
experiencing a single one of these illnesses.

A second patient has had a more limited experience that also supports this
effect. This patient was having diarrheal illnesses of probable viral origin
during the previous 2 years at a rate of 0.38 per month (records show the
seasonal rate for July to November in the previous 2 years was 0.3). Since he
began a daily small dose of Boiron Oscillococcinum, he has had no more diarrheal
illnesses for 5 months from July-November of 2004.

For a third person, the data is even more limited because of the shorter
term records, but still supportive of this preventive effect. This patient had
two severe stomach flus within a 3 month period before beginning
Oscillococcinum. During the following 4 months, while taking Oscillococcinum
almost daily,
no gastrointestinal or other flus have occurred. No side effects have been
experienced by any of the patients from the daily use of the Oscillococcinum.

Dosage Issues For Boiron Oscillococcinum

There is a widespread belief that harm will come of using homeopathic
remedies on a daily basis. This comes from experiences of the use of
“nosode”
remedies, the most common type. These nosode remedies are very small doses of a
substance that in larger amounts, have the potential to cause the sort of
symptoms that the small doses of it are meant to treat. In contrast,
Oscillococcinum is a “sarcode” remedy, and this caution does not apply (11).
Sarcode
remedies come from healthy tissue or a health promoting substance that the
patient may be deficient in, and daily dosing is considered to be safe. So, the
fact that Boiron Oscillococcinum is a sarcode remedy, supports the experiences
of
the above patients, and the view that there is no reason at this time to
believe that daily use could be harmful (though it should be remembered that
this
is not the type of use that the manufacturer recommends nor the FDA has
approved, due to lack of research).

Some may find that alternate day or less frequent doses might work.
However, the anecdote given above, with the patient being exposed to an illness
and
getting sick immediately after skipping one day of the Boiron Oscillococcinum,
might suggest there is the potential that it might not always work if less
than daily doses are used. Increasing the dosage frequency when one knows one
is being exposed is an option, however, often one is exposed before one can
possibly know. One of the studies of Oscillococcinum showed a better result in
flu symptom reduction, the sooner the remedy was begun (10). This indirectly
might be viewed as tending to support the idea presented here that daily use may
be better, since this ensures the early use of the remedy in the course of an
exposure to a virus, as well as prior to exposure. But it should be
repeated, that this is not the view of the researchers or the manufacturers,
since
there are no controlled studies regarding daily use for prevention.

The best amount to use each day is uncertain, but it seems to make sense,
on general principles, to use the least amount that is effective. For some,
cost might be a problem if larger doses were taken daily. Taking a few pellets
each day means each vial will last as long as 2 weeks or more. The experiences
of the above patients, was that 2-10 pellets daily was sufficient, but
further research is necessary. In order to maximize the effect of the smaller
dose,
it might be helpful to have the pellets remain dissolving in the mouth for
some time (e.g., 10-15 minutes), and be sure not to eat or drink anything other
than water very near the time one takes it. It may be that some people might
require larger doses than others, or even twice daily doses, due to coexisting
conditions or the general state of their immune system.

Relevance for Influenza, Colds and Other Influenza-like Illnesses

Since these observations were made between June and November, it is
unlikely that the above patients were exposed to influenza. However, it might be
supposed, based on the popular use of Oscillococcinum for prophylaxis in France
mentioned above, that it may work in the same way for the prevention of
influenza as it has for gastointestinal flus, as discussed here. It may be that
Oscillococcinum works against flu-like illnesses because birds, like ducks, are
susceptible to the same illnesses and there is some factor transferred via this
duck-derived remedy. In this case, since West Nile virus and bird flu are also
found in birds, one might speculate that there might be some protection from
those viruses. Of course, this is purely theoretical and one should still take
other precautions to protect oneself from West Nile virus and other viruses.

It should also be mentioned that an experience of the first patient using
Oscillococcinum for prevention as described above suggests that the protective
effect of Boiron Oscillococcinum does not apply to colds, since this patient
got a cold when on daily Oscillococcinum alone. Thus, although the manner in
which Oscillococcinum works is unknown, the observation that it did not protect
against a cold might be a clue to its mechanism of action. It supports the
view that it does not work by a general upregulation of the immune system so
that all viruses are protected against, but rather, Oscillococcinum only works
against certain types of viruses. Perhaps, this occurs in a manner somewhat
similar to a vaccination. Of course, its means of action must differ
significantly from standard vaccination, for several reasons, including the
apparent need
for frequent doses in order to prevent the illnesses observed here.

Conclusions

For those who are healthy and who only occasionally have a cold or flu,
daily or alternate day use of a preventive remedy is probably unnecessary.
However, healthy people might decide to use the preventive remedies when a
contact
is ill or during certain seasons of the year, or when an upcoming event makes
their staying well especially important.

But for those who have frequent colds or flus, or who may suffer severe
consequences from them due to other medical conditions, this information has
great potential, if research bears it out. The reduction in suffering due to
the
illnesses and their complications, not to mention the economic savings due to
lost work, could be enormous. Readers, especially doctors, researchers, or
patients with careful records of their illnesses and other factors, who try
either or both of these approaches, are encouraged to send accounts of their
experiences to the Editor (PO Box 70166, Pasadena, CA or email:
jcwat101@...).
Perhaps these can be compiled and used as a basis to encourage scientific
studies of these strategies in the future.

It should be remembered that the remedies may tend to work less well under
some circumstances, such as when the user is under stressful or sleep-deprived
conditions. However, in the cases discussed here, there were periods of at
least moderate stress and occasional mild sleep deprivation, and the patients
still did not get sick when the appropriate preventative strategy was being
used.

Based on this limited anecdotal data, neither preventive strategy alone
seems to be sufficient to protect against colds and flus of all types. It may
be
that for some patients the optimal strategy would be to use both the very low
dose sublingual and intranasal alpha interferon and the Boiron
Oscillococcinum. The patient with chronic fatigue syndrome described above,
who’s
experiences were most extensive, used both preventive strategies during the
majority of
the past 6 months and found no problem with combining the two approaches. It
is possible that since both approaches theoretically could protect against the
most serious influenza-like infections, that this combination approach will be
doubly protective against these more serious illnesses. However, until more
data verifies their effectiveness, patients using these new strategies should
probably also use standard prevention methods for influenza and other viruses,
when available. And despite what would seem to be a low potential for harm,
research is needed to be certain that the benefits outweigh any unforeseen
side effects in various patient groups.

References

(1) Fauci, AS, and others, editors: 1997. Harrison’s Principles of Internal
Medicine. McGraw Hill.
(2) Hayden FG, Albrecht JK, Kaiser DL, Gwaltney JM Jr: Prevention of natural
colds by contact prophylaxis with intranasal alpha 2-interferon. N Engl J Med
1986;314:71–5.

(3) Douglas RM, Moore BW, Miles HB, et al: Prophylactic efficacy of
intranasal alpha 2-interferon against rhinovirus infections in the family
setting. N
Engl J Med 1986;314:65–70.

(4) Waterhouse, JC: A Cold Remedy that Really Works? CISRA’s Synergy Health
Newsletter, Update #2, January 10, 2000, Chronic Illness Support and Research
Association, P.O. Box 70166, Pasadena, CA (www.members.aol.com/SynergyHN)
(5) Locke, A: The Family Guide to Homeopathy: Symptoms and Natural Solutions.
1989. Prentice Hall Press, New York, NY.

(6) www.boiron.com and the studies referred to at the site.

(7) Casanova, P. et al. The evaluation of 100 randomized observations of
oscillococcinum/placebo in the influenza syndrome, Manuscript available from
Boiron. 1983.

(8) Casanova, P. Gerard, R. A study of the therapeutic action of
oscillococcinum in influenzal syndromes. Manuscript available from Boiron. 1985.

(9) Ferley, JP, Zmirou D, D’Adhemar, Balducci, F: A controlled evaluation of
a homeopathic preparation in the treatment of influenza-like syndromes. Br. J.
Clin. Pharmac. 1989;27:329-335.
(10) Papp R, Schuback G, Beck E, Burkard G, Bengel J, Lehrl S, Belon P.
Oscillococcinum in patients with influenza-like syndromes: A placebo-controlled
double-blind evaluation. Br. Homeopathic J. 1998;87:69-76.

(11) Dr. B. Brewitt, researcher on the use of homeopathic doses of growth
hormone (www.biomedcomm.com); describing daily use of sarcode remedies on
“Your
Own Health and Fitness” Radio Program, see kpfa.org’s radio archives.



*Oscillococcinum is a registered trademark of Boiron Inc., Newton Square,
Pennsylvania.





(Disclaimer: This material is intended for information only and is not
medical advice. Neither CISRA nor the author receive funding from any doctor,
lab
or manufacturer of any medication or associated products.)

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